51.   Cuban officials said they were waiving diplomatic immunity from the residence in Maryland.

52.   Cuban officials say there is no connection between the arrests and the independent libraries.

53.   Cuban officials say they hope the trade deal heralds a thaw in relations.

54.   Cuban officials say this encourages more such criminal acts.

55.   Cuban officials were in meetings in the early evening and had no immediate comment.

56.   Defections are a constant source of concern for Cuban officials when their star athletes venture outside the country for competitions.

57.   Cuban officials angrily denounced the final bill, saying no American foodstuffs would be bought under such restrictions.

58.   Cuban officials are currently conducting a three-month test of a needle-free vaccine injector developed by Genesis Medical Technologies Inc.

59.   Cuban officials argue that their country supported these athletes, nurtured their skills, then saw them lured off by richer lands as soon as possible.

60.   Cuban officials could not be reached for comment Sunday.